Hanging wash to dry is an ages old way to get that fresh clean scent in your clothes. But with air pollution increasing, it’s not always practical. But researchers from the University of Sheffield and the London College of Fashion have created a laundry additive called CatClo,” (short for Catalytic Clothing) that can help clothing remove nitrogen oxides (NOx) from the air.

CatClo contains pollution-eating titanium dioxide nanoparticles that helps fight air pollution – just by wearing our regular clothes. The treated nitrogen oxides, which are odorless, colorless and pose no pollution hazard, are then either dissipated harmlessly in the wearer’s sweat of removed in the next wash. The researchers claim that just one person getting around town in clothing treated with the additive for a day would personally be able to remove roughly the same amount of nitrogen oxides produced by the average family car each day.

It’s a unique and fascinating idea. Created by the partnership of artist Helen Story and scientist Tony Ryan, the idea behind this innovative concept is to create a movement that will allow everyday folks like you and me to make a positive difference for our environment by helping to create cleaner air. Here’s hoping this product makes it to market.